An integrated multi-scale approach to restoring a degraded secondary forest ecosystem: A case study in the Changbai Mountains, northeastern China

Abstract

Large-scale forest degradation has led to a drastic alteration of forest landscapes worldwide with severe consequences for human well-being and ecosystem services. The extent and spatial composition of forests within a landscape mosaic play a crucial role in processes and functions ranging from stand to landscape scales. A fundamental task for forest landscape restoration is the identification of potential forest types and species for restoration. In this study, we demonstrated how to restore and manage a degraded secondary forest accounting stand condition while simultaneously targeting optimal landscape structure and function. First, we identified 14 native primary forest types that correspond to different topographies in the study area with data from previous studies. Then, we extracted topography data from a digital elevation model and forest inventory. Combining the topography data with the native primary forest types, we identified the forest types for restoration in each forest sub-compartment. However, some sub-compartments had multiple alternative. Based on the landscape structure analyses, the optimal arrangement of forest types for restoration in the landscape was determined. Combined landscape restoration target and potential forest types for restoration of each sub-compartment, the locations and the species for restoration were determined. This study provides a significant baseline for forest restoration and increase restoration effects.